Police: Boys were a 'junior crime wave'

Two 10-year-old boys have been charged with vandalizing 10 school district vans and smearing them with human feces during a "junior crime wave," Bethlehem police said.

One of the boys also is charged with a July 9 break-in at a Bethlehem home where liquor and food was stolen.

The boys' names were not released.

Lt. Mark DiLuzio said in his experience during 31 years as a police officer, it's rare to see this amount of damage committed by children this young.

"Most 10-year-old boys might get in trouble for throwing around a baseball and it accidentally goes through a window," he said. "These types of crimes are horrific."

On Nov. 10, Bethlehem Area School District employees discovered the damaged vans at the district's building and grounds facility at 250 E. Fairview St., police said.

The vans had smashed lights, broken windows and windshields smeared with human feces and urine. Police said the boys jumped on the hoods of the vans, causing dents.

Damage is estimated at around $6,000, police said.

Police said Detective Van Scott determined the boys were involved due to evidence at the scene and information called in to police.

Both boys are charged with felony counts of institutional vandalism, and criminal mischief. Police said they are in the custody of their parents pending action by Northampton County Juvenile Court.

One of the boys is also charged with breaking into a home on W. Laurel Street this summer.

Police said that boy and a 14-year-old boy stole a video recorder, alcohol and eggs from the home. Police said the eggs were later thrown at William Penn Elementary School and the broken alcohol bottle was found at a playground.